JIM WORTON
Country Singer, Guitarist/Mandolin Player Songwriter
INFO
Jim’s music career started at school with a few friends setting up their own band. This led onto other amateur ventures which eventually led into a semi-professional career in a duo called ‘Morgan James Sound’ in the mid 70’s, performing 50’s/60’s and chart tunes of the day. In 1978 he went solo and the following year he turned professional adding self-penned songs to his repertoire. During this period he won several awards for both singing and songwriting.
He continued with his solo career and at various times also played with other bands. He did some session work, and also did duo work. During this time his work included local pubs, clubs, theatres, holiday centres (often gaining work for the full summer season) and he has worked alongside many top acts in the country including Mary Duff, Sarah Jory and Daniel O’Donnell.
In 1995 he entered the country music circuit as Walton James. In 1996 he was asked to join one of the top international country bands Fever as lead singer/guitarist. One of his first performances with the band was in a festival in Switzerland in front of 15,000 people. His career with the band took him all over the UK, including Scotland and Wales. The band took part in many top festivals, often headlining the event; these included the Americana with top American acts. Due to personal reasons he left the band under amicable circumstances and remains good friends with them.
Since leaving the band in October '97 he has made a big impact on the circuit throughout the country. With his likeable personality and professional stage act, which is very visual (costume change of every set) and lively (he covers the whole stage no matter how large), he has developed a style of his own which is in big demand.
Jim’s performances cater for all areas of country music, whether you line, partner, freestyle or listen. Theatre or concert, he will meet your requirements, keeping right up-to-date with the latest line dances. He also does acoustic nights, just Jim singing with an acoustic guitar. When he does use backing tracks, these are produced by Jim himself playing bass guitar, keyboards, acoustic, slide and electric guitar with drum tracks and harmony vocals, so when you hear Jim live, you hear JIM.
He has always been known for his voice, and whether it’s a sentimental ballad or a gritty country song Jim delivers it with all the passion you would expect of a man who loves to perform. He is also an accomplished lead guitarist with a style he has developed over nearly 30 years in the music industry. Major likes and influences are Hank Williams and the Eagles; diverse as these are, both are featured in his act.
As mentioned, Jim is an accomplished songwriter of some 38 years. He has also written songs with his daughter, Amberley. Jim is currently writing new songs for a totally original album.
Most important to Jim is to perform live. In 2003 he went to Texas, mainly as a holiday, but he was proud to perform in front of a US audience in Wichita Falls. He has also very much enjoyed performing regularly in Spain and Portugal. Jim still tours the whole of the UK and still loves it after all these years. He'd be pleased to see you at his next gig.
